College Top 25: Feb. 25

DURHAM, N.C.—Arizona won a series on the road to open the 2008 season and vaulted over fellow Pacific-10 Conference team UCLA into the top spot in Baseball America’s college Top 25 rankings.

While the Bruins split two games at home with Oklahoma and fell to the No. 3 spot, the Wildcats won two of three at Georgia of the Southeastern Conference, claiming the No. 1 ranking for the first time since 1989. The most impressive weekend by a Top 10 team belonged to the Wildcats’ in-state rival, Arizona State, which jumped from No. 9 to No. 6 after beating Miami (Ohio), two-time defending national champion Oregon State and preseason No. 3 Vanderbilt. The Commodores’ SEC rival Mississippi leaped two spots to No. 2 after an impressive sweep against Minnesota.

Three teams jumped into the rankings after being left out in the preseason. Oklahoma State swept four games against Gonzaga to enter the rankings at No. 21, while San Diego State put up 37 runs on preseason No. 11 San Diego in winning two of three. The Aztecs debut in the poll at No. 22, while the Toreros dropped six spots. Finally, Cal State Fullerton enters the rankings at No. 23 after winning a series at Texas Christian.

The staff of Baseball America determines the Top 25 rankings. Records indicated are through games of Feb. 24 and do not include ties.